The Awards ceremony at the Annual Conference is always a highlight!  What a wonderful opportunity to showcase the fantastic work and accomplishments of our members!  Here’s a recap of the 2024 scholarship, grant and award recipients:

• The Diversity Scholarship was awarded to Catherine King, MLIS Student at Kent State University. This award goes to a student who demonstrates diversity in one or more ways and displays potential in the field of library and/or information science through leadership and commitment to diversity issues.

• The Research and Publications Committee Research Grant was awarded to Melissa Bauer (Kent State University) in support of her research project, “Exploring First-Generation Students’ Perceptions of the Academic Library,” which will explore the unique needs of first-generation college students with regard to library services.

• The TEDSIG TEDdy Award for distinguished service by an ALAO member in the fields of Technical, Electronic and Digital Services was presented to Frank Bove (University of Mount Union).

• The Support Staff Conference Grants were awarded to Jennifer Smith (Case Western Reserve University) and Gregg Harris (University of Akron). These awards are intended to encourage staff participation and development in ALAO activities by offsetting registration and travel expenses to attend and/or present at the ALAO Annual Conference.

• The Continuing Education Grant was awarded to Gabrielle Lee (Ohio State University) and Elizabeth Staarmann (Miami University).  This award is meant to defray costs of participating in conferences, workshops, seminars, and similar library-related educational opportunities, pursuit of a professional library degree, or growth of DEI knowledge and leadership.

• The TEDSIG/NOTSL Technical Services Conference Grants were awarded to Rachel E. Littleton from Wittenberg University (Presenter Award) and Brett Williams from Columbus College of Art & Design (Attendee Award).  The grants are intended to encourage technical services staff development and participation in ALAO activities through two awards–one for conference attendance, and another for presenting. 

ALAO 2024-2025 Awards

The 2024 ALAO People’s Choice Poster Award winners were Megan Jaskowiak, Stefanie Hilles, Abigail Morgan, and Jaclyn Spraetz from Miami University for their poster, “A Multidisciplinary Graphic Medicine Collection for Undergraduates”.

The Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award was established in 2016 to honor individuals who demonstrate excellence as a mentor and named in memory of its first recipient. 

This year’s recipient of the Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award is Gerald (Jerry) Natal, Associate Professor, Health and Human Services Librarian at the University of Toledo Libraries, in recognition of his tireless dedication to serving others, both in and outside of libraries.  

Jerry has mentored numerous Association members in his capacity as an ALAO Board member and executive officer, and in various committees and working groups.  His knowledge and guidance also helped the ALAO leadership navigate a period of tremendous change in the Association and Ohio academic libraries in recent years.  Jerry continues to mentor and advise ALAO members, University of Toledo student organizations, and Toledo community organizations.

The Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award is named for a former Ohio State University librarian who was instrumental in the formation of ALAO. It honors individuals with a strong record of promoting academic libraries, librarianship, and strong leadership. 

This year’s recipient of the Jay Ladd Service Award is Mandi Goodsett, Performing Arts & Humanities Librarian at Cleveland State University, in recognition of her exemplary contributions to ALAO and other Ohio academic library professional communities.  

Mandi is a regular organizer and participant in ALAO conferences, interest groups and committees, and a highly accomplished past member of the ALAO Board.  As ALAO President in 2020-21 Mandi led our organization through a period of unprecedented changes in academic libraries during the COVID era, while also advancing the Association’s mission to promote diversity and inclusion, sustainability, open information, affordable learning, and information literacy in academic libraries.  Always asking “what more can we do?,” Mandi has been a driving force behind entirely new programs, professional communities and conference events, welcoming everyone to collaborate and share fully in the creation process.

Please join me in congratulating all of our grant, scholarship, and award winners!

2025 ALAO Elections – CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Considering professional service or leadership opportunities, or know someone who might be?  If so, please consider nominating yourself or a colleague for a position on the ALAO Board! 

This year’s elections will take place in spring 2025, with successful candidates officially assuming their positions at the ALAO Board Retreat in July. 

What does the ALAO Board do?

As the Ohio chapter of ACRL, we:

• Advance academic library services in our state and provide opportunities for education and growth for library personnel at all levels and at every career stage
• Sponsor an annual conference and spring workshops that focus on innovative topics and showcase Ohio academic librarians
• Provide scholarships and awards
• Maintain several active, diverse interest groups and committees.
• Have a mentoring program that pairs up Ohio academic librarians for peer-to-peer, inter-generational, leadership, or student mentoring relationships

ALAO Board members:

• Perform duties described in the Procedures Manual for their position
• Attend monthly Board meetings
• Participate in the annual Board planning retreat in July

This year, we will be soliciting nominations for the following positions:

• Vice President/President Elect
• Secretary
• Board Member-at-Large (3 positions)

Please submit nominations or self-nominations to the online 2025 ALAO Election Nomination Form by Friday, February 14, 2025

Volunteer Opportunities!

The 2024-25 ALAO Nominating Committee is looking for two volunteers from the membership to join the committee.  ALAO members who are not currently serving on the Board may volunteer for this Committee.  If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please email Mark Eddy, Nominating Committee Chair, at pastpresident@alaoweb.org

ALAO is also looking for volunteers for the following appointed positions to start in July 2025:

• Support Staff Interest Group (SSIG) Co-Chair
• Scholarly Communications Interest Group (SCIG) Co-chair
• Web Manager (1 of 3)

Please complete the volunteer form to indicate your interest in the above positions.  

Questions about the upcoming elections or volunteer opportunities?  Please feel free to contact Mark Eddy (pastpresident@alaoweb.org) or Laura Birkenhauer (membership@alaoweb.org)

Thank you from the 2024-25 ALAO Nominating Committee!,

Mark Eddy, Case Western Reserve University, Committee Chair

Mandi Goodsett, Cleveland State University, Committee Member

Brea McQueen, Miami University, Committee Member

Laura Birkenhauer, Miami University, Advisor to the Committee